7 Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Hello everyone!

Time has certainly flown by this year, and when I looked at my calendar, I was shocked to see that Halloween is just a week away! As you may know, I have a background in costume design so October/Halloween is my favorite time of year. Therefore, I’ve come up with seven last minute Halloween costume ideas for anyone else who has been procrastinating like me. In effort to be more sustainable, I’ve tried to come up with ideas that use pieces already in your wardrobe, that can easily be found in vintage/charity shops, or new pieces that you can reuse in your day-to-day outfits.

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

1) Austin Powers

I have always wanted a blue velvet suit, and I found one while scrolling through Na-kd’s website this past week. While I’d also wear it for an ordinary night out and mix and match with other clothes, it’s perfect for an Austin Powers costume. All you need is a white 70s frilly blouse/pirate sort of shirt. They can easily be found in vintage and charity shops. Get some black specs; reusing a pair from a 3D movie is perfect for the look. And voila, you’ll look totally groovy, baby. P.s. if the velvet suit I ordered fits/arrives on time, this is what I’ll be dressing up as!

2) Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

I remember absolutely loving this computer game as a kid. Even better, it makes for a very easy, warm, and comfortable Halloween costume. Wear a black turtle neck, trousers, boots and gloves and a red trench coat and hat. Done. How simple is that? All of these items should be found in your closet or be easily found in a charity shop. If you still need some help with the trench coat and hat, I’ve created links below to help you with the search. If you have to buy the trench or hat new, you will most likely wear them over and over again after Halloween.

3) Catwoman

Catwoman is a sexy, yet dangerous feline, and let me ask you who doesn’t want to be a sexy, yet dangerous lady in all leather on Halloween? Bring out your black tops and gloves, pleather leggings and your knee/thigh high leather boots out. Then add a chain belt and a medallion necklace (or several). Chain accessories are very trendy currently so you can rewear them in your day-to-day outfits as well. Chances are, you already have a selection to choose from. You can also find cheap costume jewelry that will do the trick at your local charity shop. For the final touch, buy some cat ears and a mask.

4) Miss Ives from Penny Dreadful

First off, if you haven’t watched Penny Dreadful yet, please do. It’s the perfect tv show for October. The main character, Miss Vanessa Ives is a gorgeous yet mysterious woman and I love her style. If you have a Victorian/Edwardian-inspired high neck blouse and a black maxi skirt you have what you need for this costume. Last year, I had a photoshoot in a graveyard inspired by Penny Dreadful. To see the photos, click here.

5) Sandy from Grease

I’ve actually done this one a few years back when in need of a quick costume for a Halloween party. I was “bad” Sandy and my best friend was “goody girl” Sandy. All you need is a pair of black leggings, a black off shoulder crop top, a belt, and a pair of red shoes. Easy, peasy lemon squeezy.

6) Betty Boop

Confession alert: I also have dressed up as Betty Boop for a last minute Halloween party several years ago. You probably have everything you need already sitting in your wardrobe. If you have a red or black strapless dress and heels and gold jewelry then you are set. Black will work instead of red because the cartoon was originally in black and white. Most of the work comes in the hair styling and practicing how to say “oop boopee doop” in your best Helen Kane voice as possible. If you don’t know who Helen Kane was, she was essentially the real life version of Betty Boop. Click here to listen to her “oop boopee doops.” If you don’t want to listen to the whole song you can start 40 seconds into the clip.

7) Rosie the Riveter

Ladies, it’s time to put the current boiler suit trend to some good use. If you have a boiler suit/denim jumpsuit and a bandana, then you have a Rosie the Riveter costume. For my UK followers, you may not know who Rosie the Riveter is. She is the symbol of women who went to work in the factories in America during WWII. She’s a major feminist icon because it was the start of women working widespread across the States. If you’re an over-achiever, carry a wrench as a prop and say “We can do it!” while showing off your biceps.

I hope this list helps those of you who need a last minute Halloween costume this year. If you still want an extra costume idea, you can read my blog on dressing up Like a Virgin. Click here. Which is your favorite costume idea?